The 7 Best Vitamin C Serums We Tested and Recommend for Glowing Skin
With so many different types of serums on the market, it can be hard to figure out what each one does, let alone whether it deserves a spot in your skincare routine. If you only want to invest in a single product, board-certified dermatologist Diane Madface, MD, recommends a vitamin C serum. One of the main benefits of vitamin C is that it protects against environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution, which can damage the skin through free radicals. It’s a powerful antioxidant, and regular use can lead to a smooth, clear, and even-toned complexion.
“They stimulate collagen, fade dark spots, and protect against sun damage,” Madeface told Birdie. “They’re also great for fine lines, melasma, and rosacea.”
We tested dozens of vitamin C serums in the lab and at home for six weeks as part of our daily skincare routine, evaluating each product for ease of use, absorption, skin texture, skin radiance, firmness, and overall appearance.
Finally, we had two board-certified dermatologists, Dr. Jessie Chang and Dr. Jennifer Herrmann Consulting picked these 7 best products for glowing skin.
Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intense Vitamin C Facial Serum
We love that this product is available at your local drugstore, is relatively affordable, and is very effective. Over time, we noticed a significant improvement in the radiance of our complexion. After six weeks, our skin looked
brighter and smoother. We also noticed a noticeable difference in the firmness of our skin.
The texture of the product is neither liquid nor oily. Instead, it almost feels like a lightweight paste. This may not sound particularly appealing, but it spreads easily and absorbs into the skin very quickly. We also appreciate the squeeze tube packaging, which dispenses just the right amount of product. The only downside we found is that unlike other vitamin C serums that make skin look instantly radiant due to their oily or shiny formulas, this product does not. But considering how effective it is over time, that’s not a huge downside.
Who’s it for?
This is a great all-rounder for anyone who needs a boost of glamour. However, it’s best suited for those with patience, as results can take some time to arrive.
Best Treatment: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
As avid vitamin C serum fans, we know a good formula when we try it. Sometimes the most hyped products don’t live up to expectations, but this one certainly did. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula doesn’t feel sticky or dry on the skin. It’s easy to apply and incorporate into your skincare routine, and delivers impressive results.
We saw a real improvement in skin texture and reduction in fine lines using SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. After six weeks of use, our skin looked and felt softer and smoother. However, we weren’t convinced that this brightened our complexion any more than other, cheaper options we’ve used. Admittedly, we loved this serum, but it’s worth noting that while it’s fragrance-free, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing scent. However, the scent doesn’t linger on the skin, so that wasn’t an issue for us.
Who’s it for?
This SkinCeuticals serum is a win for anyone concerned about fine lines and photoaging. Additional vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and ferulic acid enhance the formula’s protective properties, protecting against environmental damage caused by free radicals.
Best Budget: Yes To Grapefruit Daily Brightening Serum
This serum proves that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on skincare to see positive changes in your skin. The formula contains antioxidant-rich grapefruit and vitamin C, as well as polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) that gently break down dead skin cells.
We loved this serum. It absorbed easily into our skin and left it feeling moisturized. We also noticed that our skin looked radiant after each use. We also loved how effective this serum was at brightening our complexion and smoothing our skin’s texture. After just a few days, we noticed a significant improvement in texture, and by the end of the test period, our skin felt softer, slightly firmer, and our skin tone looked more even.
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for an affordable vitamin C serum, the Yes To Grapefruit Daily Brightening Serum is your new favorite product.
Best for Beginners: Sephora Collection Super Glow Serum with Vitamin C+E
If this is your first time using a vitamin C serum, it’s best to start with a simple formula that’s easy to use and doesn’t contain potentially harsh active ingredients that could cause irritation. We love this product for beginners because the formula is super simple – it absorbs quickly, feels comfortable on the skin, and works well with makeup and other skincare products. It contains vitamins C and E as well as marine peptides and is known for its firming properties.
We found using the pipette to be very intuitive and the formula absorbed quickly into the skin without leaving any sticky or greasy residue. After just a week or two, we noticed a real difference in the brightness of our skin and found that our complexion looked brighter even when we weren’t wearing it. Overall, it helped us achieve brighter, healthier, and younger-looking skin.
While there are no clear claims about firming effects, we wish this product had a slightly stronger firming effect, especially considering it contains marine peptides. But overall it’s still an excellent product.
Who’s it for?
This product is ideal if you’re using vitamin C for the first time and are concerned that your skin might be a little irritated during the adjustment period. It doesn’t include any additional active ingredient lists, so you can easily get your new treatment started.
Best for Sensitive Skin: TruSkin Vitamin C Face Serum
If you have sensitive skin, you know how important it is to find a gentle but effective product. We love this. Not to mention, many of our Birdie readers love it, too. This product is a real pleasure for people with sensitive and acne-prone skin. The drying time does take around 30 seconds, which is a little longer than other options, but the result of the dry down is hydrating and non-greasy. We even noticed that our skin still felt hydrated even without moisturizing.
Another bonus? It didn’t clog our pores.
We were very happy with the results after the testing phase. Acne marks were noticeably faded, and the complexion looked radiant.
Who’s it for?
Since it’s effective, non-irritating, suitable for all skin types, and contains no harsh acids, we think it’s a great choice for people with sensitive skin.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Skin Renewal Vitamin C Serum
People with acne-prone skin know that trying new skincare products can often lead to breakouts and irritation. We found that this product actually helped improve the overall appearance of oily skin. The formula contains
L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C, which provides powerful antioxidant protection, and hyaluronic acid for extra moisture.
While we had some trouble getting the dispenser portion of the packaging to work the first time we used it, the product was easy to use after that. We also liked how our skin looked brighter and more refined with regular use
The wrinkles around our mouth seemed to have faded a bit.
Who’s it for?
This is a good choice if you have acne-prone skin. We appreciated that the serum is lightweight and didn’t feel greasy on our already oily skin, and we noticed a noticeable reduction in acne marks after a few weeks of use.
Best for Tightening: Klur Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum
Klur Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum isn’t a harsh formula with potentially irritating acids; instead, it’s a gentle product that actually visibly improves skin texture and tone.
We couldn’t help but rave about how effectively this product tightened the skin. Plus, we saw real improvements in skin texture; after six weeks of testing, our face looked and felt smoother and softer. While we didn’t notice a huge difference in skin radiance, the improvements in texture and tone were so significant that we wouldn’t have worried.
Who’s it for?
This vitamin C serum is our go-to for all skin types, tones, and ages, making it a top choice for those looking to firm and smooth skin.
